Applied Materials, Inc.

Ulrich Mueller

Jang Fung Chen

Shih-Hao Kuo

Hsiu-Jen Wang

David A Markle

Stephen F Sporer

The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for performing maskless lithography processes. A substrate processing apparatus includes a slab with a plurality of guiderails coupled to and extending along the slab. A first shuttle is disposed on the plurality of guiderails, a second shuttle is disposed on the first shuttle, and a metrology bar is coupled to the second shuttle. The metrology bar includes a first plurality of sensors coupled to the metrology bar. A second plurality of sensors coupled to the metrology bar are disposed laterally inward of the first plurality of sensors.

Machine measurement metrology frame for a lithography system

Actual physical locations of dies on a substrate package may be identified without using a full metrology scan of the substrate. Instead, one or more cameras may be used to efficiently locate the approximate location of any of the alignment features based on their expected positioning in the design file for the packages are substrate. The cameras may then be moved to locations where alignment features should be, and images may be captured to determine the actual location of the alignment feature. These actual locations of the alignment features may then be used to identify coordinates for the dies, as well as rotations and/or varying heights of the dies on the packages. A difference between the expected location from the design file and the actual physical location may be used to adjust instructions for the digital lithography system to compensate for the misalignment of the dies.

Package imaging for die location correction in digital lithography

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a digital lithography system and methods for alignment resolution with the digital lithography system. The digital lithography system includes a metrology system configured to improve overlay alignment for different layers of the lithography process. The metrology system includes an inline metrology system (IMS) in combination with an on tool metrology system (OTM), which enable substrate overlay alignment and die placement correction. The inline metrology system may be positioned on an inline metrology tool and the on tool metrology system is positioned on a digital lithography tool. The inline metrology system facilitates measurement of high-throughput measurement inline metrology data for marks such as die marks and global alignment marks for verification of process stability and die placement data for digital data correction. This inline metrology data can be compared with a design file to determine offsets for the digital data correction.

Combination of inline metrology and on tool metrology for advanced packaging

Exemplary methods of packaging a substrate may include rotationally aligning a substrate to a predetermined angular position. The methods may include transferring the substrate to a metrology station. The methods may include measuring a topology of the substrate at the metrology station. The methods may include applying a first chucking force to the substrate to flatten the substrate. The methods may include generating a mapping of a die pattern on an exposed surface of the substrate. The methods may include transferring the substrate to a printing station. The methods may include applying a second chucking force to the substrate to flatten the substrate against a surface of the printing station. The methods may include adjusting a printing pattern based on the mapping of the die pattern. The methods may include printing the printing pattern on the exposed surface of the substrate.

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Berkeley, CA, United States of America

Ulrich Mueller